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The 6 Best Things to Do in Rio
Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana, and samba nights
Rio is set between mountains and sea — Christ the Redeemer over the city, Sugarloaf’s cable car, the sweep of Copacabana and Ipanema, and samba spilling into the streets.
BEST TIME
May–October (drier, less humid)
TYPICAL BUDGET
$1,000–$2,200 per person for a week
6 best things to do in Rio
1
Christ the Redeemer at Corcovado
2
Sugarloaf Mountain cable car
3
Copacabana and Ipanema beaches
5
Santa Teresa and the Selarón Steps
How to fit it into a day
Christ the Redeemer at Corcovado
Spend the morning on the highlight, then in the afternoon or evening: sugarloaf mountain cable car.
See it laid out day by day: the 4-day Rio itinerary →
LOCAL TIP
Go up Corcovado early on a clear morning — clouds often hide Christ by noon.
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Things to do elsewhere